'Two Women' and lots to talk about on stage

Ever want to get into the thoughts of a woman? Betsy Jackson and Ann Matthews, both of East Stroudsburg, are letting you do just that with their show, "Two Women Talking."

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By MELANIE VANDERVEER

poconorecord.com

By MELANIE VANDERVEER

Posted Jul. 12, 2013 at 12:01 AM

By MELANIE VANDERVEER

Posted Jul. 12, 2013 at 12:01 AM

IF YOU GO

"Two Women Talking"WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Community Room of the Hughes Building of Eastern Monroe Public Library, 1002 N. Ninth St., Stroudsburg

Cost: $5

INFOR...

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IF YOU GO

"Two Women Talking"

WHEN: 7 p.m. Thursday

WHERE: Community Room of the Hughes Building of Eastern Monroe Public Library, 1002 N. Ninth St., Stroudsburg

Cost: $5

INFORMATION: 570-421-0800, monroepl.org

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Ever want to get into the thoughts of a woman? Betsy Jackson and Ann Matthews, both of East Stroudsburg, are letting you do just that with their show, "Two Women Talking."

"Ann and I are both writers, actors, moms and warriors. We've done other work together and separately, so we finally decided this past year to take our pieces and put them together," Betsy Jackson said. "We try to tell a story that maybe you'll connect with someone. It's about mayonnaise, red wine, marriage, obsessions. We're not trying to be coy or cryptic, but not wanting to spell everything out for people. Just come and hear the stories."

The two women have been friends for about four years. They both agree that meeting each other was meant to be.

"I moved here from Manhattan, and I was in a lot of spiritual pain. It was such a culture shock. Someone told me about a show at Shawnee Playhouse, 'Pieces of Evelyn.' It was by Betsy Jackson," Matthews said. "The show was about me."

While at the playhouse, Matthews found a flier for a yoga class with Jackson, so she decided to go.

"I went to the class the next weekend, and I was the only student. I said, 'Thank you for making that show,'" Matthews said. "We became friends, and that's how it all began."

Jackson and Matthews then started to show each other their work, and the friendship blossomed.

"Two Women Talking" is about anything and everything, and most women can relate to the topics.

"A lot of the show is about addiction to alcohol, pain, food. When I have a show to do, the fact that I'm sharing my pain as art for the world, I become a universal force," Matthews said. "It's like a high to perform together. This show reflects that we're unique individuals. It's grounding."

The show itself isn't just the women sitting and chatting. There's more to it.

"We perform and do our own pieces and monologues and come together," Jackson said. "When we come together, we take the pieces and move them around and see how it threads together. People are hungry for authentic stories. People want to tell their stories. Part of telling ours is a soft way to tell people they can tell theirs, too."

While this show isn't a comedy, there are comedic moments because both of the women have funny stories to share. It's all about human experience and the way it's told.

"Let's take off the masks, take away the static and noise, and here's my story. See if it resonates with you," Jackson said. "It's a really nice evening and a complete pocket of material. I can only hope people walk out going, 'Wow, that reminded me of my life.'"